- published: 31 Jul 2014
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Coordinates: 55°52′00″N 4°22′00″W / 55.86666°N 4.36666°W / 55.86666; -4.36666
Renfrew (Rinn Friù in Scottish Gaelic) is a town located 6 miles (9.7 km) west of Glasgow in the west central Lowlands of Scotland. Renfrew is known as the "Cradle of the Royal Stewarts" as a result of its early link with the Royal house of Scotland and Great Britain. It gained royal burgh status in 1397 and became the county town of Renfrewshire, also known as the County of Renfrew. The current Baron of Renfrew is His Royal Highness The Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay (known outside Scotland as The Prince of Wales) who holds lands in the area as part of the principality of Scotland.
As the traditional county town, Renfrew once was a centre of local government for the surrounding area. Whilst the county remained, the focus of local government in Renfrewshire gradually shifted from Renfrew to the larger neighbouring town of Paisley. Following the reorganisation of 1975, the county of Renfrewshire was divided for local government purposes into three modern council areas: Renfrewshire, with considerably smaller boundaries than the county, including Renfrew and with its administrative centre at Paisley; East Renfrewshire, with its centre at Giffnock and Inverclyde with its centre at Greenock. The boundaries of the historic county of Renfrewshire remain for a number of ceremonial and administrative purposes.
Renfrew is a county in the Canadian province of Ontario. In 2011, the population was 101,326 and county covered 7,440.81 square kilometres (2,872.91 sq mi), giving a population density of 13.6 /km2 (35 /sq mi). There are 17 official municipalities.
The seat of county government is in Pembroke, a city that is politically independent of the county. In 2006, the county--along with Pembroke--was represented at the Canadian House of Commons as part of the riding of Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke.
Renfrew Country is known for its lakeside cottages and white-water rafting along the Ottawa River, and has more than 900 lakes. It is located in the subregion of Southern Ontario named Eastern Ontario. Renfrew County is also the largest county in terms of area in Ontario, ahead of Hastings County.
The county seat, the city Pembroke, is politically independent.
At Wilno, Ontario Canada's Kashubian community celebrates their heritage.
The county is home to CFB Petawawa and gives its name to The Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment.